San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Photo: Matt York, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner delivers a pitch...

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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Wednesday, June 26, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Photo: Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the...

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Madison Bumgarner doesn't see himself as beyond improvement after a strong 2013 season. "I'm sure everybody would want to do something better," he says.

Photo: Jennifer Stewart, Getty Images

Madison Bumgarner doesn't see himself as beyond improvement after a...

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FILE - In this July 21, 2013, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning of a baseball game in Washington. Kershaw won the National League Cy Young Award, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

Photo: Nick Wass, Associated Press

FILE - In this July 21, 2013, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers...

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Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner, (40) throws in the first inning, as the San Francisco Giants take on the San Diego Padres at AT&T Ballpark, on Friday April 19, 2013, in San Francisco, Ca.

This is hard to fathom, because there must be a federal law that requires Clayton Kershaw to pitch in every series against the Giants, but the two-time Cy Young winner has faced Madison Bumgarner only three times.

The pitcher who won two of the three meetings is not the one who just signed a seven-year, $215 million contract extension. Kershaw beat Bumgarner in 2011. Bumgarner beat Kershaw in 2012 and 2013.

If they continue to face each other over the many years they will pitch for their respective teams, a compelling left-handed rivalry could ensue.

Kershaw is the best in the National League, and maybe the majors. Bumgarner staked his claim to second-best with a breakout 2013 season.

If there is a rivalry, it will be friendly. Bumgarner and Kershaw, two tall Southerners, genuinely like each other.

"He's actually a really good guy," Bumgarner said of Kershaw. "I'd say we're pretty good friends."

Kershaw on Bumgarner: "He's from the country. He's just a normal, fun, laid-back guy. He's fun to be around."

And the respect they have for the other's pitching is evident.

Kershaw on Bumgarner's approach: "I love the way he goes about it. No emotion. He just goes out there and competes. On the field, you just like to see that mentality. He gives up eight, or he shuts them out, and you see no difference in his attitude and mind-set."

Bumgarner on Kershaw's nine-figure contract: "That's something else. That's pretty unbelievable, that deal there. It couldn't happen to a better guy and a better pitcher. It's pretty awesome for him and all the other left-handers."

Kershaw's second Cy Young season in 2013 helped Los Angeles win the West even before the 25-year-old earned the wealthiest contract on a team that throws money around like confetti. He led the league with a 1.83 ERA, 232 strikeouts and an 0.92 WHIP.

Bumgarner's best season carried far less significance because the Giants crumpled from World Series champions into a 76-86 heap. He busted through a wall of relative anonymity by ranking second in the NL among lefty starters in ERA (2.77), third in WHIP (1.03) and fourth in strikeouts (199).

Though every other pitcher on the staff stumbled for extended stretches, Bumgarner, who turned 24 in August, was Mr. Consistency. He completed at least six innings in 25 of his 31 starts.

A team looking for salvation from its rotation in 2014 knows the baby of the group has grown up and can be counted upon to carry his weight.

"I don't put a ceiling on this kid," manager Bruce Bochy said. "What he did in 2010, how he handled the playoffs and the World Series, he's got a great makeup. He's a big, strong guy who wants to get better."

True enough, Bumgarner said.

When posed with the notion that he was the only Giants starter who did not arrive in camp needing to improve on last year, he said, "Maybe I'm way off base here, but I'm sure everybody would want to do something better. I'm sure Kershaw looks back on his year wanting to do something better even though, looking at it, you're like, 'Wow. He had an unbelievable year.' "

That was the first mention of Kershaw in a lengthy interview. Clearly the L.A. lefty is on Bumgarner's mind. He praises Kershaw effusively, but how does Bumgarner feel about himself in the conversation about the best lefty starters?

"That's a secret," he said in all seriousness. "I won't ever talk about myself except for negative stuff, and I feel there's a lot of stuff that can be improved. That's what I'm always trying to do. I'm trying to find a way to get better, whether it's physically, mentally, whatever it is."